Top CDs today, March 18, 2025. 9 Offers Guarantee at least 4.60% for up 18 Months.

Takeaways

• The nation’s top-rated CD of 5.00% was again offered today. Mountain America Credit Union offers a special 18-month rate that will lock you in until mid-September, next year.
• Additional 8 offers guarantee 4.60% on terms ranging between 3 and 18 months.
• Skyla Credit Union offers a top rate of 4.50% for a 2-year period, while Credit Human’s 3-year deal locks in 4.40% through 2028.
• Want a longer lock-in rate? Consider a rate of 4.40% from Vibrant Credit Union or Transportation Federal Credit Union, both for 4 years.
• The Fed’s decision will almost certainly be to hold interest rates at the same level when it is announced on Wednesday. Since rate cuts in 2025 are expected, it is smart to grab one of the best CD rates available today while you can.

Below you'll find featured rates available from our partners, followed by details from our ranking of the best CDs available nationwide.

Rates of 4.50% – 5.00% Guaranteed as long as September 2020

Mountain America Credit Union offers a 18-month certificate that guarantees a 5.00% annual percentage yield. This CD would lock your rate in until almost fall 2026.

The second-best rate is 4,65% APY. This rate is offered by four competing offers, which extend their rate guarantee into later 2025. Two banks and 2 nationally available credit unions pay that rate over terms of 5-7 months.

Abound Credit Union announced recently a 4.60% return on a longer 1-year term with a rate guarantee of 10 months. Vibrant Credit Union offers the same APY over a period of 13 months. Both of these options will guarantee your rate until 2026.

Skyla Credit Union offers a 21-month offer with 4.50% interest that will extend your return to almost Christmas 2026.

All Institutions Insured by the Federal Government Are Equally Safe

Your deposits are insured by the federal government if the institution fails. Not only that, but the coverage is identical—deposits are insured up to $250,000 per person and per institution—no matter the size of the bank or credit union.

Consider Multi-Year CDs to Lock in Your Rates Further into the Future

Credit Human offers a variety of CDs that guarantee your return at least until 2027. You can lock-in a guaranteed 4.45% rate for any term you choose between 18-23 months. (You’ll need a period of at least 22 to extend into the calendar year 2027.) Or, you can opt for an 4.40% rate on a selected term between 24 to 35 months.

Anyone looking for a longer rate lock received some good news in the first week of this month. The leading 4-year CD rate was raised from 4.35% up to 4.40%. Vibrant Credit Union is offering this higher rate. Meanwhile, Transportation Federal Credit Union is also offering 4.40% APY, but on a slightly longer 5-year certificate—ensuring you’ll earn well above 4% all the way until 2030.

The possibility of Fed rates being cut in 2025 or 2026 makes it a smart time to buy long-term CDs. The central banks has already reduced the federal funds rate a full percentage points, and there may be more cuts this year. The Fed’s interest rate reductions will lower bank APYs, but a CD rate that you secure today will remain yours until it matures.

Today's Best CDs Still Pay Historically High Returns

It's true that CD rates are no longer at their peak. The best CDs offer a fantastic return despite this pullback. The best CD rates in October 2023 were above 6%. However, the leading rate has dropped to 5%. Compare this to early 2022 before the Federal Reserve began its rapid rate-hike campaign. The highest interest rate you could earn on the best CDs was 0.70% APY.

Jumbo CDs lose to regular CDs in every term

Jumbo CDs require much larger deposits and sometimes pay premium rates—but not always. In fact, we’ve found that the best jumbo CD rate is worse than the standard CD rate for every term. It’s a good idea to compare both types of CDs when shopping for one. If the standard CD offers the best rate for your desired deposit amount, you can open it using a jumbo deposit.

What will CD rates be in 2025?

In December, Federal Reserve announced the third rate reduction to the federal fund rate in as few meetings. This is a reduction of one full percentage point from September. But in January the central bankers announced that they would be putting their benchmark rates on hold until at least March.

The Fed’s three 2024 rate cuts represent a pivot from the central bank’s historic 2022–2023 rate-hike campaign, in which the committee aggressively raised interest rates to combat decades-high inflation. At its 2023 peak, the federal funds rate climbed to its highest level since 2001—and remained there for nearly 14 months.

The Fed will likely lower interest rates in a gradual manner, since inflation in February was below the Fed’s 2% goal but still above it. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool as of this writing, traders are pricing in a 95% probability that the Fed will maintain interest rates at its meeting on Wednesday.

Fed rate changes are important for savers because they reduce the rates that banks and credit unions will pay consumers to deposit their money. CD rates and saving account rates are affected by changes in the fed funds rates.

Time will tell what exactly will happen to the federal funds rate in 2025 and 2026—and economic policies from the new Trump administration have the potential to alter the Fed's course. But with three Fed rate cuts already in the books, today's CD rates could be the best you'll see for some time. It’s a great time to lock-in the best rate for your financial goals.

Daily Rankings for the Best CDs, Savings Accounts and Investments

We update this ranking every day of the week to provide you with the best rates for deposits.

Best 3-Month CD rates

Best 6-Month CD rates

Best 1-Year CD rates

Best 18-Month CD rates

Best 2-Year Rates on CDs

Best 3-Year CD rates

Best 4-Year Rates

Best 5-Year CD rates

Best High-Yielding Savings Accounts

Best Money Market Accounts

Note that the "top rates" quoted here are the highest nationally available rates Investopedia has identified in its daily rate research on hundreds of banks and credit unions. This is different from the national average that includes all banks that offer a CD in that term. Many large banks pay a pittance of interest. The national averages will always be low, but the rates you can find by shopping around could be five, 10 or even 15 times more.

How we find the best CD rates

Investopedia monitors the rates of more than 200 banks, credit unions and other institutions that offer CDs in the United States and determines the daily rankings of the highest-paying certificates for each major term. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), the CD’s minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000, and any specified maximum deposit cannot be under $5,000.

Banks must be located in at least forty states. Some credit unions may require you to donate to an association or charity to become a part of their organization if you do not meet other criteria (e.g. you do not live in a particular area or have a certain type of job). We exclude credit unions that require a donation of $40 or more. Read our methodology to learn more about how we select the best rates.

Article Sources Investopedia asks writers to use primary resources to support their writing. These include whitepapers, government data, original reports, and interviews with experts in the industry. Where appropriate, we also reference original research by other reputable publishers. Our website contains more information about the standards that we use to produce accurate, unbiased content. Editorial Policy

1. Federal Reserve Board. "Open Market Operations."

2. Federal Reserve Board. "Federal Reserve Issues FOMC Statement, Jan. 29, 2025."

3. CME Group. "FedWatch."